Less than a month after being acquired by the Detroit Tigers in an effort to address their shortstop vacancy, Gonzalez has been unconditionally released, the team announced early Sunday.

The move opened up a spot for utility infielder Danny Worth, who had his contract purchased from Triple-A Toledo. Worth, the final cut made by the Tigers this spring, hit .308 with five doubles,and two stolen bases in 14 games with the Mud Hens.

The Tigers acquired Gonzalez in late March in exchange for utility player Steve Lombardozzi, who was traded to the Baltimore Orioles less than four months after arriving in Detroit as part of a trade that sent Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals.

At the time of the trade, the Tigers viewed Gonzalez as a capable replacement for shortstop Jose Iglesias, who is expected to miss the entire season after being diagnosed with stress fractures in both legs in mid-March. Gonzalez was expected to split time with Andrew Romine, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels.

Gonzalez got off to a hot start with the Tigers, hitting a walk-off single in the team's season opener March 31. But the 37-year-old has since struggled at the plate, hitting .167 with a triple and two RBIs in nine games.

His defense, particularly his lack of range up the middle, had also been called into question.